[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall-Norwood UDC 1894].

  • Southall-Norwood (London, England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall-Norwood UDC 1894]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Whooping Cough. Seven fatal cases of this disease occurred, 5 of which were inmates of the St. Marylebone Schools. In 1893, 2 fatal cases were recorded. The disease not being a notifiable one, we have no means of ascertaining the number of cases, other than those proving fatal. Under existing conditions in the majority of cases, no means whatever are taken to isolate the patient, and so prevent the spread of the disease. As Whooping Cough is very infectious and is now the most fatal of all infectious complaints of children under the age of 5 years, I am strongly of opinion that this disease should be added to the Schedule of Notifiable Diseases. A suggestion which I trust will receive your early attention. Measles was prevalent in the District during the months of May and June. The disease was of a mild character ; there were, however, 6 fatal cases, 5 of which occurred in the St. Marylebone Schools. Epidemic Influenza. This complaint was very prevalent during the earlier months of the year. Generally speaking, the cases were of a mild type. The deaths of 3 patients in the London County Asylum were directly attributed to this disease. Action taken to Prevent the Spkead of Infectious Disease. Your Sanitary Officers have found the Infectious Diseases Notification Act, and the Infectious Diseases Prevention Act of very crreat assistance in preventing the spread of Infectious Diseases. When a case comes to our knowledge your Inspector and myself visit the premises to ascertain the probable origin. In every case the drains, and sanitary arrangements generally of the house are thoroughly examined, and when any defects are found, the owner or the tenant, as the case may be, is called upon to remedy them. In all cases where complete isolation can not be adopted, we endeavour to get the patient removed to the Isolation Hospital. Providing the case is not sent away, full instructions are given for isolating the patient and the necessary disinfectants supplied gratuitously.
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